Hurriedly he explained to his mother why it was he must leave home, and
added in conclusion,-
"Master McCleary has promised that I shall not suffer because of the delay
in paying the tax, and I am certain he will keep faith with me."
"And do you intend to leave home now?"
"I must; there are those who depend upon me, and they shall not be
disappointed."
"I am afraid, Walter, you are pursuing the wrong course. It is best that
wiser and older heads than yours should be concerned in the struggle which
must come, if the people resist this new tax."
"Father would have done as I am doing; and, since I am to fill his place,
it is fit I should do what I can."
"But how will you reach Boston without a horse or money?"
Walter hesitated. By returning to Portsmouth he could get the animal which
McCleary had proposed he should ride, and yet to do so would delay him
greatly, in addition to the possibility of arousing suspicion against his
friend.
By leaving the main road six miles farther on, and striking across a tract
of wooded country, the distance could be reduced materially; but even then
there would remain at least fifty miles to be traversed.
"I can walk to Salem," he said, at length; "and there, William Cotton will
provide me with a horse."
"It is a desperate journey, and dangerous, if some should learn why you
had undertaken it.
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